Thousands of school teachers and members of the civil society organisations on Friday, May 29, 2026, took over the streets of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital protesting the kidnap of their colleagues and pupils from Oriire Local Government Area.
The protesting teachers and civil society activists demanded an immediate action by the federal and Oyo State governments to free their kidnapped colleagues and pupils that are languishing in terrorists’ den for two weeks now under severe weather conditions.
The protests which were led by the Oyo State Teachers Action Group and the Nigeria Teachers Congress (NTC), followed the May 15, abduction of the teachers and school pupils in Esiele and Yawota communities near Ogbomoso.
While addressing the protesters, the National President of NTC, Rev. Bunmi Thomas, stressed that their only demand is the safe and swift return of the kidnapped teachers and pupils.
The NTC National President declared that the rally was lawful and necessary, stressing that they are demanding pragmatic action from government to secure the release of the abducted teachers and students.
Rev. Thomas said that it must be noted that the protest was not against Governor Seyi Makinde, stressing that no reasonable teacher of parent in Oyo State is against Governor Makinde because he has performed excellently well.
Thomas, who acknowledged ongoing rescue efforts, however insisted that there is the urgent need for more concerted efforts to be done.
In the words of Thomas; “If the government is trying and the result is not showing, then such efforts must be intensified. Children are being made to go through excruciating and harrowing conditions. We have kids as young as two and three years old in the bush, exposed to rain and harsh weather”.
The NTC National President also called for security in all public schools, saying that teachers cannot continue to work while living in danger.
He further said; “It has become absolute necessary for the government to attach security personnel to every government school.
While addressing the protesting teachers and members of the civil society on behalf of the Oyo State Government, the Executive Assistant on Security Matters, CP Sunday Odukoya (retd), noted that it is the constitutional right of the teachers and others to protest in order to let the government know their concerns.
Odukoya, however said the teachers that rescue operations were ongoing and assured that no teacher would be victimized for participating in the protest.
